CBL NEWS/BLOG

Anyone who has has participated in extreme board sports for any length of time has most likely experienced a sport stopping injury. I mean let’s face it if you’re really pushing the boundaries then you are always one turn away from a catastrophe. Most of us work on a calculated risk theory involving weighing personal our skill against the challenges we choose - factoring in our willingness to deal with the potential repercussions. It’s rare that someone will truly understand the price we pay to play until they’ve experienced an injury that puts their lifestyle on hold. I’ve experienced it, and I’m about to take another run at it.

Nov 7th: 2nd time, same knee - ACL replacement, MCL repair & partial meniscus removal. It’s the reality of a small misstep when you’re driven by adrenaline and progression in a BOARD lifestyle. I’m not looking forward to the large dose of pain that im about to take but, the outcome is worth it. This is like a test to see if I can keep focused on the outcome and not let the mental aspects get to me. The doubts and fears of loosing hard earned skills, the reality that I’m getting older … blah blah blah The truth is, I am willing to pay and I’m dreaming of the minute I can step on my board and get back to MY life! Thanks for all the support! Skate, Surf, Snowboard, Wakesurf, Skim, Wake and Mountain BOARD with ya in 6 months - Brian

UPDATE: CBL BIG PUSH TODAY (SATURDAY, OCT 27, 2007)
Stop by with your longboard and costume: Starts at 2:30!
1835 Prairie City Road #100, Folsom (Across from the Malabar Resteraunt.)

Those crazy dudes at CBL have caught the bug….BAD. Yesterday Brian and Dan were in front of the store sliding a rail on their snowboards - in shorts! And now Dan’s committed to trucking in some snow this weekend in an attempt to curb the symptoms and ease the pain of this terrible bug. Stop by this weekend if you want to see whet they come up with. You should also check out some more pictures in our photo gallery.

…A Best Seller for a good reason.

California BOARD life in Folsom is also a dealer for Rivera longboards out of So Cal. The “One Love” model has become an incredibly HOT seller on the Californiaboardlife.com web site. In addition to detail like rasta color wood ply’s and grease bearings, Rivera put a Bob Marley graphic on both sides of this deck and built it up with some of the markets most premium longboard components like Paris trucks and Rivera custom 70mm 83a duro wheels. This board is sure to be the hit of the party at the CBL Halloween Big Push on October 27th!

As a spectator of skateboarding sliding down a slippery slope to a corporate driven and controlled industry, I feel compelled to speak out! The CBL anti-corp logo is a depiction of a true skater/snowboarder trapped by the bar-code of corporate America, and our reminder of the industries take over. I’m amazed by the amount of “drones of the corporate movement” I see around town, they’re easy to spot if you just pay attention to shoes. Next time you see someone wearing skate apparel or carrying a skate deck, check out the brand of shoe’s they’re wearing - Do you recognize them as a basketball/baseball/football shoe brand? If so, you just encountered one type of corporate drone.

It’s amazing to me because many are simply following a trend not realizing the damage they’re doing to their sport and industry. An industry that as of 15 years ago was owned and operated primarily by skateboarders, for skateboarders. Remember the “support American skateboarding” and “don’t buy Chinese skateboard” advertising campaigns that were going on 4 years ago? You won’t see them anymore (at least on a large scale) because most of the companies who funded those campaigns used them as a smoke screen while they moved their operations overseas. You would be amazed how many previously “American” skateboard companies have since taken a slice out of the U.S. skateboarding scene and moved to a Chinese mass producing facility. It’s been sad to see so many skateboarders loose their place in skateboarding (sales reps, board builders, warehouse staff, sponsored skaters, shop owners) as this corporate movement has been taking place.

An industry created skateboarder today is more enthralled by his non-skate brand shoe’s and hoody than how his trucks operate, or how fast his bearings are. Progression and self expression in skateboarding seems to be going to the way side to fashion - “how do I look standing here” seems to be the focus of these drones. The problem I see is the people and brands who have been so supportive for so long are being pushed out because corporate America caught a whiff of money and decided to buy their way into the market. All the while convincing a large portion of “skaters” it’s cool to wear the same brand football cleats, running shoes, basketball shoes and skate shoes and to buy all of them at the same mall their Mom buys her make-up and high heel shoes.

Anyone who cares about where skateboarding is headed should educate fellow skaters; explain how supporting your local skate shop, buying from American based/made skate companies, boycotting large sporting brands from skateboarding and skate progression are the keys to keeping skateboarding ours!

Free the drones from corporate America!

• CBL offers Professional Sales, Service and Consultation to Skateboarders, Snowboarders, Wakesurfers, Surfers and all boarders!
• CBL offers a BRAND NEW online store with some of the best prices on the most popular brands in Skateboards, Snowboards, and Wakesurf boards! Shop and Buy 24/7 at http://shop.californiaboardlife.com from the convenience of your own home! We also offer FREE IN STORE PICKUP on products purchased online!
• CBL is the ONLY shop in Folsom, El Dorado Hills, Placerville, Cameron Park and Sacramento Areas that offers Professional Skateboard Lessons for youths of all ages! For Skate Lesson Info, click here!
• CBL is building a Skate Team with various benefits. Inquire within the shop! We’re looking for your videos and pictures!
• CBL Co-Hosts with the City of Folsom Parks and Recreation Department a Regular Monthly Skateboard Contest Series!
• CBL Owner/Professional Skate Instructor Brian Owens has taught Skateboard Lessons for 5 years in conjunction with the City of Folsom Parks and Recreation Department.
• Skaters and Riders who Know and Appreciate the Workings of the Industry.
• CBL’s Apparel is specially selected to fit your lifestyle - not someone else’s.
• CBL’s Hard-goods are the Best the Industry has to Offer - Giving You the Area’s Best Selection.
• CBL’s Customer Service is Outstanding! We completely assemble your purchase, service it for FREE as long as you own it, and we’re always glad to give you the best advice we can!

For more information, Call Today! (916) 984-0301, or stop by our shop! 1835 Prairie City Road #100, Folsom, California. We’re right across the street from the new Malabar Restaurant in Folsom!

The new CBL set up is amazing. Everyone needs to stop by and check it out. A whole line of new product is in, and they are gearing up for the winter time. Definitely the place to be shopping!!!

We’ve remodeled our store in Folsom, California!! Stop by and check out the BIG changes!! By the way, ALL our shoes are on sale! Come on in and check them out!

CBL is Seeking Snow, Skate, Longboard & Wakesurf Team reps! CBL is on the search for the right people to represent the CBL way of life. If you’re interested, submit your video by dropping it off to Brian @ CBL.